How your body changes during pregnancy? Expecting a child is
always a magical moment for all women. But before the arrival of this happy
event, the body of the future mother undergoes many changes. Yes, it's not
just the belly that rounds and the changes affect almost the entire body.
Fortunately, these changes are only temporary, and everything returns to
normal after the baby is born. So what are these changes?
Changes in body during pregnancy
1- Body changes in pregnancy - Weight gain
Weight gain is undoubtedly one of the bodily changes that pregnant women notice during pregnancy. But it varies from woman to woman. This weight gain is relatively low during the first three months of pregnancy due to vomiting and morning sickness. Weight gain accelerates as the pregnancy advances. During the second trimester, the urge to eat increases. No need to deprive yourself of it if the desire is felt. You need to eat a balanced diet while limiting sugar consumption. You will be about six pounds heavier by the end of the second trimester.At the beginning of the third trimester, the monthly weight gain is about 1 to 1.5 kg, making a total weight gain of 9 to 12 kilograms before delivery. Note that during the last weeks of pregnancy, it is advisable to be vigilant since inactivity stimulates the appetite and weight gain can be surprising
2- How pregnancy changes your body? Shiny hair
During pregnancy, the hair of future mothers can also change. Generally, they become more beautiful and shinier. You may also notice again in volume. All this is caused by the different hormones secreted by the body. During pregnancy, the amount of sebum can also decrease, making the hair less greasy.On the other hand, some pregnant women have oilier hair due to the increase in the quantity of sebum. By adopting a balanced diet, you can limit your hair loss if this is your problem and improve your growth.
3- The change in metabolism
The development of the fetus requires an adequate nutritional intake. And this leads to changes in the metabolism of the future mother. Carbohydrates, plasma fatty acids, insulin resistance and insulin secretion increase while blood sugar levels decrease. During the first four months, the growth of the fetus is still weak, and the mother's organism can retain as many nutrients and energy.As a result, there is an increase in lipids in adipose tissue. During the second trimester, the development of the fetus is much more critical. Therefore, the maternal body releases the lipids stored in the fatty tissues for the benefit of the placenta and the fetus. During pregnancy, nutritional intake must ensure the need of the fetus, uterus and adipose tissue. All this is also necessary to ensure the accumulation of fat in the mother during the first three months and to meet energy expenditure.
4- Decreased blood sugar level
During pregnancy, the blood also changes. Indeed, the blood volume can almost double from the 34th week. The weight of red blood cells decreases, and so does their number. As for white blood cells, their number is more than 10,000 per cubic millimeter during pregnancy, and this number is between 6000 and 7000 cubic millimeters in a woman who is not pregnant. Blood sugar levels drop in pregnant women between 0.7 and 0.8 mol per liter of blood. But this rate is a little higher outside of pregnancy: about 5.5 mol per liter of blood.It should be noted that the increase in blood volume during pregnancy can lead to anemia. If the iron intake is sufficient for the fetus, it uses it according to its needs. But from the third trimester, this contribution becomes insufficient, and he must look for it in his mother's reserve of red blood cells. This is the reason why physiological anemia manifests itself. Rest assured, this is temporary.
5- Pigment cells appear on the skin.
During pregnancy, the excessive secretion of hormones leads to considerable changes in the skin. These changes are pretty natural, but they can sometimes lead to skin disease. Generally, changes in pigmentation are distinguished in dark-skinned brunettes. The pregnant woman's hormones stimulate the pigment cells in the body area where they are most important. This hyperpigmentation can be seen in various places, but they are often between the navel and the pubis or in the genitals.Note that most of the time, this pigmentation fades after childbirth. However, this coloring chemical can last for years. Another pigmentation that appears during pregnancy is chloasma, also called a pregnancy mask. Two-thirds of pregnant women are affected by this disease characterized by brown spots. These often appear on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip. It should be emphasized that all changes in the skin during pregnancy do not pose any danger to the woman.
6- Increased heart rate
One of the changes in a pregnant mother is maternal metabolic changes. It is the general functioning of your body that changes. Regarding the heart, your heart rate, as well as your respiratory mass, are amplified. This is due to your body's adaptation to the foreign body that is the fetus. Gestational diabetes can also be seen in some pregnant women, and it is the absorption of glucose by the fetus that creates this morbidity.Indeed, the concentration of sugar in the blood or the glycemia of the mother must constantly be suitable for the fetus. The heart and vessels are also affected by a modification in future mothers—the blood volume increases and the heart rate. During pregnancy, blood pressure faces a decrease of about 25%. This is explained by the increase in the diameter of the vessels.
7- Physiological changes During Pregnancy
The influx of hormones also leads to physiological and anatomical transformations of the respiratory system in pregnant women. These changes appear before the uterine volume increases, and they are likely to generate mechanical stresses imposed on the thoracopulmonary apparatus. Hyperventilation is also seen during pregnancy, which is a precipitation of the respiratory rate. Changing the levels of certain steroids like estrogen and progesterone and cyclic nucleotides promotes these rapid changes.Many pregnant women have trouble breathing during the last three months of pregnancy. The latter can indeed act on the evolution of chronic respiratory diseases of
8- Some changes in the digestive system
This maternal metabolic modification does not spare the digestive system. The majority of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting. It is in the first trimester of pregnancy that these ailments occur. This usually results from the increase in the number of chronic gonadotropin hormones. The closer the childbirth approaches, the more the cardia opens. This allows the reflux of acidic gastric juices to pass without a problem. Constipation is also common during pregnancy due to the increase in progesterone. This steroid hormone relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestines.Some women start coughing when reflux of acidic stomach juices is not treated. In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is better to avoid acidic foods such as spices, raw vegetables or salad dressing. To reduce vomiting or nausea, it is recommended to eat small meals every 3 hours maximum.
Changes in your body when you are pregnant - Breast swelling
Breast swelling is one of the changes caused by pregnancy. The breasts enlarge and become sensitive to pain under the influx of hormones. The veins darken, and blood flow to the breasts increases. The nipples and the areolas also undergo the same effect when the hormones affect the pigmentation of the skin. A yellowish substance called colostrum also begins to appear during pregnancy.Normal physical changes in pregnancy
During pregnancy, changes to the body remain inevitable, regardless of advances in science or medicine. Pregnancy remains a magical period despite the aches and discomforts that may arise, and you will only have to take full advantage of it.Read More:
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